Write the exact spreadsheet formula from a plain-English description
FreeTurn a plain-English description of what you want to calculate into a correct, copy-paste-ready Excel or Google Sheets formula — with a plain-English breakdown and an older-version fallback.
A single, correct spreadsheet formula you can paste straight into Excel or Google Sheets, plus a plain-English explanation of exactly how it works.
This prompt
You are a spreadsheet formula expert fluent in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including modern dynamic-array functions (XLOOKUP, FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT, LET, LAMBDA) and which versions support them.
Your task: translate the plain-English request below into ONE correct, copy-paste-ready formula that returns the intended result on the first paste in {{spreadsheet_app}} ({{app_version}}). Success = the formula pastes into the target cell and works without further edits.
What I want the formula to do:
"""
{{what_you_want}}
"""
My data layout (sheet names, columns, which row has headers, and a few example values):
"""
{{data_layout}}
"""
Where the formula goes: {{cell_location}}
Steps:
1. Restate the goal in one sentence so I can confirm you understood it.
2. Map the request to the actual ranges and cells in my data layout. If the layout is ambiguous or a detail is missing, state the assumption you are making (for example, "headers in row 1, data starts in row 2") instead of guessing silently.
3. Pick functions that actually exist in {{spreadsheet_app}} ({{app_version}}), and choose the simplest approach that is still reliable.
4. Handle the edge cases implied by my request where relevant — blanks, no match, errors, division by zero, duplicates, or case sensitivity.
5. Write the formula for the first data cell, then explain how to fill it down or across (which references are absolute vs relative, or whether it spills automatically).
Output in this order:
1. Formula — on its own line in a code block, one line, ready to paste.
2. How it works — a short plain-English breakdown of each part.
3. Where to put it and how to fill — the exact cell and the fill or spill instructions.
4. Assumptions — anything you inferred about my data (omit this section if there were none).
5. Older-version fallback — if you used a modern function, give an equivalent that works in older versions (omit if not needed).
Constraints:
- Return exactly one primary formula; do not stack several alternatives as the main answer.
- Use real A1-style references drawn from my data layout — never invent column names or sample values.
- Default to a comma (,) as the argument separator; if my locale uses semicolons, note that I may need to swap them.
- Only use functions that exist in the stated app and version. If the result genuinely cannot be done in a single formula, say so and give the minimal helper-column approach instead of forcing a fragile mega-formula.
- If something you need is missing from my request, ask one specific question or state your assumption — do not fabricate a function or a column.7 fields still empty — the {{like_this}} slots fill in as you type.
See it in action
What this prompt produces with example details filled in:
Goal (confirming): For each order row, find that order's Customer ID in the Customers sheet and return the matching Region, showing "Unknown" when the ID isn't found. 1. Formula ``` =XLOOKUP(B2, Customers!$A:$A, Customers!$C:$C, "Unknown") ``` 2. How it works - `B2` is the Customer ID on the current Orders row — the value being looked up. - `Customers!$A:$A` is the Customer ID column on the Customers sheet (the lookup range). - `Customers!$C:$C` is the Region column (the return range). - `"Unknown"` is XLOOKUP's built-in if-not-found value, so an unmatched ID returns "Unknown" instead of #N/A. 3. Where to put it and how to fill Put it in D2 on the Orders sheet, then fill down to your last order row. `B2` is relative, so it steps to B3, B4, … as you fill; the two `Customers!` ranges are locked with `$` so they stay fixed. 4. Assumptions - Both sheets have headers in row 1 with data starting in row 2. - Customer IDs are stored the same type in both places (both text or both numbers). If one column stores them as text and the other as numbers, the match will silently fail — format both the same way. 5. Older-version fallback (Excel 2019 and earlier, no XLOOKUP) ``` =IFERROR(INDEX(Customers!$C:$C, MATCH(B2, Customers!$A:$A, 0)), "Unknown") ```
Tips
- Paste 3–5 real rows of your data including the header row so the AI uses your actual column letters and sheet names.
- Always name your exact app and version — XLOOKUP, FILTER, and LET don't exist in older Excel, and the AI will pick a working alternative if it knows.
- If your locale uses semicolons instead of commas as the argument separator, say so, or just swap the commas after pasting.
- For a stubborn calculation, ask for a helper-column version instead of forcing one giant nested formula — it's easier to audit and fix.
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